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Cycling from Hanoi to Luang Prabang

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Cycling from Hanoi to Luang Prabang
From $1,975USDBook Now
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14 days from $1,975USD
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Luang Prabang in Laos
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Are you looking for an epic cycling challenge? Want to explore a beautiful part of Vietnam and Laos? This may be the bike tour for you.

Cycling is a fantastic way to explore Northern Vietnam and Laos. The roads are mostly tarmac, and you're just as likely to pass a herd of buffalo as you are a vehicle. This guided cycling tour takes you through some of the most stunning scenery of Vietnam and Laos, with plenty of challenging rides along the way. You’ll appreciate having transfers some days to shorten distances and/or remove some of the less spectacular parts of the ride.

You’ll bike up to high mountain passes, down to fertile valleys and through tribal villages. You'll explore rural areas that few tourists reach, and get a real sense of what life is like in these remote places. Meet local people, enjoy fantastic food, and welcoming homestays, and round the whole trip off in style in one of Asia’s most magical destinations, Luang Prabang.

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Cycling from Hanoi to Luang Prabang

Challenge yourself on this epic 14-day guided cycling tour of Vietnam and Laos
4.70
(67 reviews)
14 days from $1,975USD
Easy quote
Duration
14 days
Season
Jan-Apr, Sep-Dec
Mountain Bike
Type
Guided, Private
Accommodation
Hotel
Difficulty
Hard (4/5)
From $1,975USD (see prices for this tour)
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Got any questions?
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National Geographic
Guardian
Luang Prabang in Laos
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Are you looking for an epic cycling challenge? Want to explore a beautiful part of Vietnam and Laos? This may be the bike tour for you.

Cycling is a fantastic way to explore Northern Vietnam and Laos. The roads are mostly tarmac, and you're just as likely to pass a herd of buffalo as you are a vehicle. This guided cycling tour takes you through some of the most stunning scenery of Vietnam and Laos, with plenty of challenging rides along the way. You’ll appreciate having transfers some days to shorten distances and/or remove some of the less spectacular parts of the ride.

You’ll bike up to high mountain passes, down to fertile valleys and through tribal villages. You'll explore rural areas that few tourists reach, and get a real sense of what life is like in these remote places. Meet local people, enjoy fantastic food, and welcoming homestays, and round the whole trip off in style in one of Asia’s most magical destinations, Luang Prabang.

rating
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
Trip highlights

Ride a route that takes in some of the best rides between Hanoi and Luang Prabang in Laos.

Cycle through the photogenic rice terraces and limestone hills of Northern Vietnam

Explore off-the-beaten-path in rural Laos, stopping in tiny villages and the peaceful backpacker haven of Nong Khiaw

Visit the serene and beautiful city of Luang Prabang, with its ornate temples, palaces and colonial architecture

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10Adventures only does Hiking, Cycling and Adventure Holidays. Its our mission to help you explore the world!

Trip map

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 1
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Hanoi
Today is the first day of your guided cycling tour through Northern Vietnam and Laos. You’ll be met at the airport by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi. Relax, meet your fellow riders and prepare for the first ride of the trip tomorrow.
Distance None
Overnight Location Hotel in Hanoi
Included Meals None
Day 2
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Ride to Nghia Lo
This morning you’ll be driven west from Hanoi to Son Tay for a look around the Duong Lam Ancient Village, one of the oldest villages in Hanoi, where traditional buildings and ways of life have been preserved. At Deo Khe, you’ll begin your first ride of the day, 30 km downhill along winding roads that will give you your first views of the lush mountain scenery of rural North Vietnam. The village of Ba Khe is your first rest stop, where you’ll have lunch. In the afternoon you’ll cycle a further 30 km through tea plantations and rice paddy fields to the town of Nghia Lo.
Distance 45-70 km
Overnight Location Hotel in Nghia Lo
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
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Bike to Tu Le
The photographers among you will be delighted today as you explore Tu Le, home of the Hmong people, which is known for its beautiful rice terraces. First, you’ll cycle from Nghia Lo to Tu Le, a distance of around 50 km. The small hills will prepare you for some of the more mountainous routes you will tackle later in the trip. Enjoy the wonderful scenery of villages, rice fields and distant mountains. After lunch, the route takes you on a loop around the Tu Le Valley, passing through Hmong villages along the way. Look forward to a stop at a local hot spring towards the end of the day, where you can soak any aching muscles. You will spend the night in a local guesthouse in Tu Le.
Distance 40-50 km
Overnight Location Guesthouse in Tu Le
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
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Ride to Mu Cang Chai
This morning things get a little tougher as you tackle a climb up to Khau Pha Pass, one of several beautiful mountain passes in North Vietnam. This is a challenging climb along winding roads to an elevation of 1500 m, but well worth it for the views of the whole mountain range blanketed in cloud. After descending to Nga Ba Kim, you will continue along a scenic single-lane road past a patchwork of rice terraces and the small villages of La Pan Tan, and Che Cu Nha, to Mu Cang Chai where you will stay overnight in a homestay with a local family.
Distance 30-50 km
Overnight Location Homestay in Mu Cang Chai
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
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Downhill ride to Than Uyen
Day 5 is a lot less strenuous as you sail gently downhill along the well-surfaced road from Mu Cang Chai to Muong Kim. The second leg takes you to Than Uyen. Along this stretch, you'll have views of the iconic cone-shaped limestone karsts this area is so famous for as well as multi-hued rice terraces stretching up the mountainside. Once you arrive in Than Uyen, you can have a leisurely cycle around the small town, before settling into your guesthouse for the night. Tomorrow there’s a lot of cycling!
Distance 50 km
Overnight Location Guesthouse in Than Uyen
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
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Long bike ride to Tuan Giao
You’ll need plenty of energy today as you embark on the longest cycle of the trip. You’ll cover lots of ground and get to see some of the most scenic parts of this region. After an early start, you’ll cycle out of Than Uyen to the nearby Ban Chat Reservoir, a vast body of water created by the Ban Chat hydroelectric dam and power plant. The area is very tranquil with many traditional houses along the water’s edge. After crossing by boat to Ta Hua village, you’ll bike another 20 km to Muong Gion. The next leg of the journey takes you another 25 km to the Da River and the 100 m high Pa Uon Bridge. There are stunning views of this majestic river with craggy mountains in the distance. The final leg of the day is mostly downhill another 50 km to Tuan Giao, a small town where you’ll spend the night in a guesthouse.
Distance 30-120 km
Overnight Location Guesthouse in Tuan Giao
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
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Ride over Tang Quai Pass to Dien Bien Phu
Start the day with an easy morning cycle out of Tuan Giao on a well-maintained road, passing through a village of the ethnic White Thai tribe. The next stage is a meandering climb up to the Tang Quai Pass, at an elevation of 1700 m. Have your camera ready because the views are amazing – you'll feel like you are standing above the clouds. Today’s final leg takes you to Dien Bien Phu, through quiet villages that see few tourists. Dien Bien Phu was the location of a historic battle where the French were defeated by the Vietnamese, an event that contributed to the ending of French colonial rule in Vietnam. You'll spend the night here at a local hotel.
Distance 30-78 km
Overnight Location Hotel in Dien Bien Phu
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
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Exploring Dien Bien Phu
Today you can relax and explore some of the sights around Dien Bien Phu. Cycle to the location of the famous battle and have a look at a bunker where the French commander Colonel de Castries tried to shelter from the Vietnamese. You can also explore the military museum which tells the story of the battle. There are several other interesting monuments and memorials around the town. Or just relax and enjoy cycling around this rural part of Vietnam far from the tourist trail.
Distance None
Overnight Location Hotel in Dien Bien Phu
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9
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Cycle into Laos
Now that you’ve had a rest, it’s time for another epic day of cycling! Today, you'll get properly off-the-beaten-path visiting places most tourists never see. Set off from Dien Bien and cycle uphill 35 km to Tay Trang which is the border crossing into Laos. Cross into Laos, after which the journey gets a bit easier, with a 30 km downhill cycle along a well-maintained road to the town of Muang Mai where you’ll stop for lunch. This is a region of mountains, forests and rivers, with tribal villages built on the river banks and you’ll begin to feel that you’re seeing authentic Laos. In the afternoon, it’s another 40 km through an ethnic Hmong village to Muang Khoua, on the banks of the Nam Phak River, where you’ll spend the night.
Distance 50-105 km
Overnight Location Guesthouse in Muang Khoua
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10
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Ride to Udomxai
Deep in rural Laos, you’ll follow a winding road along the banks of the Nam Phak River, a tributary of the Nam Ou, one of the most important rivers in Laos. You’ll pass small towns and tribal villages along the river banks. This area is home to more than 12 different ethnic groups. In the afternoon, the road climbs to an elevation of 750 m before descending again to the town of Udomxai.
Distance 30-100 km
Overnight Location Guesthouse in Udomxai
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11
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Bike to Nong Khiaw
Today is a chance to challenge yourself as you tackle several ascents and descents on the mountain roads between Udomxai and Nong Khiaw. The morning begins with a scenic 6 km ride out of the town. The first ascent takes you past rustic villages, waterfalls and rainforest to an elevation of 1200 m. Then, get your breath back as you descend for 10 km. The second climb is through Hmong villages to an elevation of 1290 m. The road then descends again through lush vegetation to Pak Mong, after which you continue another 30 km to Nong Kiaw. Nong Khiaw is an authentic, town and haven for travelers on the Nam Ou River, and is the perfect stopping point. Your accommodation for the night is in a guesthouse overlooking the tranquil river.
Distance 30-110 km
Overnight Location Resort in Nong Khiaw
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12
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Exploring Nong Kiaw
Enjoy a free day, have a rest and explore Nong Khiaw. You can visit Tham Pha Thok, a nearby cave system, or enjoy a boat excursion down the river. If you’re feeling energetic, you can hike to one of two the mountaintop viewpoints outside the town which offer breathtaking views of the town and river below. Or, simply relax and have a wander around the town where you can even indulge in a spa treatment.
Distance None
Overnight Location Resort in Nong Khiaw
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 13
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Cycle to Luang Prabang
After a short road transfer, this morning’s cycle follows the Nam Ou river to the Nam Ou Bridge. This is where the Nam Ou meets the Mekong River, and you'll stop to visit the Pak Ou Cave, a group of ancient limestone caves sacred to local people, which are full of thousands of Buddha statues. You’ll have lunch on the banks of the Mekong. In the afternoon, the final ride of the trip is along the riverbank and into Luang Prabang. There could not be a better place to end the trip than this wonderful UNESCO-protected city of temples, palaces and colonial buildings. Enjoy your final evening exploring atmospheric Luang Prabang.
Distance 50-70 km
Overnight Location Maison Vongprachan in Luang Prabang
Included Meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14
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Luang Prabang Departure
It’s time to say your farewells and transfer to the airport.
Distance None
Overnight Location None
Included Meals Breakfast

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Dates and prices

This guided biking tour in Vietnam and Laos is always run as a custom tour for your group only and the price depends on the size of your group.

Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:

  • Guided Groups of 4-5: from $2,225USD per person*

*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip and the size of your group. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates.

What’s included

Meals

13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners are included.

Accommodations

Accommodation for 13 nights along the tour.

Transportation during the Tour

Transportation is included for you and your luggage. Airport pick-ups and drop-offs are included too.

Also Included

  • English speaking tour guide
  • Entrance fees
  • Bike and helmet rental
  • Water and snacks

Not included

  • Visa fees
  • Insurance
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Anything not stated as ‘included’
  • International flights

Optional Extras

  • Additional night in Hanoi before the tour
  • Additional night in Luang Prabang after the tour

Accommodation for Cycling from Hanoi to Luang Prabang

This tour includes a good balance between comfortable 2-3* hotels, guesthouses, and homestays. Hotels are well located, with comfortable amenities. Homestays are basic accommodation. They allow you to learn about local culture by staying with an ethnic minority family and living and dining in the traditional way.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of {price currency="USD" value="400"} to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Cycling from Hanoi to Luang Prabang Tour?

We rate this tour 4/5, as you have consistent rides in hilly country. You can make this a very challenging tour by doing the full distance each day. You should have some experience biking longer distances and be reasonably fit.

What is the minimum age for this tour?

The age restriction for cycling is 10 years. Younger children can join the trip but will be carried in an attachment of the bike suitable for children.

Do I need a visa to travel to Vietnam and Laos?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Can I rent a bike?

The bike rental is already included in the tour package (brand – TREK 4500). Some guests bring their own bikes.

What should I bring on the trip?

Here’s the list of what you should bring with you:

  • Passport
  • Change of clothes
  • Sunglasses and hat
  • Toiletries
  • Sunblock
  • Insect repellent
  • Flashlights
  • Camera
  • Proper sport boots/shoes
  • Personal first aid kit and medicine
  • Small VND notes for buying drinks
  • If you feel the need, you can bring along a luggage lock for your belongings.

Are meals included on the Cycling from Hanoi to Luang Prabang Tour?

13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners are included.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Hanoi to start this tour?

You can get to Hanoi by bus or train from most major Vietnam cities. The closest airport is Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, located 45 kilometres from central Hanoi.

Is the Cycling from Hanoi to Luang Prabang Tour in English?

Yes, the tour guide speaks English.

Where does the Cycling from Hanoi to Luang Prabang Tour end?

The tour ends in Luang Prabang. Many guests spend several days around Luang Prabang, as it’s a beautiful part of Laos to explore.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Vietnam and Laos?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Vietnam?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to Vietnam and Laos for this tour?

The best time to travel to Vietnam and Laos for this tour is between September and April.

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Why travellers choose this tour
At 10Adventures, it’s easy to make memories with the following six optional inclusions on this tour:
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